Immunology newshttps://medicalxpress.com/immunology-news/
en-usMedical Xpress provides the latest research news on immunologyAdolescents with hay fever have higher rates of anxiety and depression, lower resistance to stressAlthough allergies affect more than 50 million Americans, they are occasionally misunderstood and can be seen as a minor condition. An article published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) shows allergies can have serious, far-reaching consequences, especially on adolescent sufferers.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-adolescents-hay-fever-higher-anxiety.html
ImmunologyThu, 24 May 2018 12:59:33 EDTnews446385565Dicer enzyme cuts down on fatsThe enzyme Dicer cleaves long precursors into short RNA molecules called microRNAs. A new study reveals how Dicer enhances energy metabolism and reduces levels of fat storage in macrophages, thus slowing the progression of atherosclerosis.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-dicer-enzyme-fats.html
ImmunologyThu, 24 May 2018 10:24:02 EDTnews446376235Researchers identify source of molecule linked to nasal polyps, asthma attacksA new discovery about how the immune system responds to common sinus infections and asthma could explain why patients develop these issues in the first place and ultimately may lead to improved targeted therapies. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have identified the source of the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-25 (IL-25), an immune molecule that recruits a subset of inflammatory cells. Common respiratory disorders like chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma have recently been linked to elevated levels of IL-25, but the cellular source of it in the respiratory system was unknown until now. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published the findings today.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-source-molecule-linked-nasal-polyps.html
ImmunologyWed, 23 May 2018 11:38:23 EDTnews446294295Study demonstrates new treatment for severe asthmaResearchers from McMaster University and the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, together with colleagues at other partnering institutions, have developed a new method to treat severe asthma. In a study of over 200 participants with severe asthma, the new treatment was shown to have improved asthma symptoms and lung function, while reducing the need for corticosteroids by up to 70%.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-treatment-severe-asthma.html
ImmunologyTue, 22 May 2018 16:39:06 EDTnews446225937Eczema drug effective against severe asthmaTwo new studies of patients with difficult-to-control asthma show that the eczema drug dupilumab alleviates asthma symptoms and improves patients' ability to breathe better than standard therapies. Dupilumab, an injectable anti-inflammatory drug, was approved in 2017 by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for eczema, a chronic skin disease.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-eczema-drug-effective-severe-asthma.html
ImmunologyMon, 21 May 2018 14:20:01 EDTnews446107883Immune cells hold promise in slowing down ALSRecent research from Houston Methodist Hospital showed that a new immunotherapy was safe for patients with ALS and also revealed surprising results that could bring hope to patients who have this relentlessly progressive and fatal disease.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-immune-cells-als.html
ImmunologyMon, 21 May 2018 13:30:47 EDTnews446128238Two novel immune-response clusters identified to RSV(HealthDay)—Two novel immune-response clusters have been identified to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and they are associated with first- and second-year recurrent wheeze, according to a study published online May 7 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-immune-response-clusters-rsv.html
Diseases, Conditions, SyndromesMon, 21 May 2018 11:20:01 EDTnews446119466Neuron guidance factor found to play a key role in immune cell functionMacrophages are white blood cells involved in a variety of biological functions, from destroying infectious pathogens to repairing damaged tissue. To carry out their different roles, macrophages must first be activated and transformed into different subtypes. However, the mechanisms that lead to macrophage activation are not fully understood.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-neuron-guidance-factor-key-role.html
ImmunologyMon, 21 May 2018 08:31:14 EDTnews446110260Ozone exposure at birth increases risk of asthma developmentA long-term study of the health of Canadian children has found that exposure to ozone (O3), a common air pollutant, at birth was associated with an 82 percent increased risk of developing asthma by age three. The study, which was a 10-year follow-up to the 2006 Toronto Child Health Evaluation Questionnaire (T-CHEQ), was presented at the 2018 American Thoracic Society International Conference.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-ozone-exposure-birth-asthma.html
ImmunologyMon, 21 May 2018 03:25:34 EDTnews446091922How immune cells kill bacteria with acidThe first line of immune defense against invading pathogens like bacteria are macrophages, immune cells that engulf foreign objects that cross their way. After enclosing them in intracellular membrane vesicles, a process called phagocytosis, macrophages kill their prey with acid. However, it is not yet entirely understood how the acidification process is established. In their quest to systematically study proteins that transport chemicals across cellular membranes, researchers at CeMM characterized the critical role for transporter SLC4A7 in this process, providing valuable new insights for many pathologic conditions from inflammation to cancer. Their results were published in Cell Host & Microbe.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-immune-cells-bacteria-acid.html
ImmunologyFri, 18 May 2018 07:45:38 EDTnews445848326First clues to the causes of multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis, which affects one in 1,000 people, is frequently characterised by relapses associated with variable functional impairments including among others vision problems, impairment of locomotor functions or difficulties with speech. There is still no cure for multiple sclerosis, and current treatments are based on managing symptoms, especially accelerating recovery phases following a relapse and reducing the number and severity of relapses. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) have identified a DNA-binding factor called TOX that might play a role in triggering multiple sclerosis. They found that TOX licenses immune cells to cause autoimmune tissue destruction in the brain. The results of the research, published in the journal Immunity, deliver important insights into our understanding and treatment of auto-immune diseases.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-clues-multiple-sclerosis.html
ImmunologyWed, 16 May 2018 06:26:34 EDTnews445670780IgG antibodies activate blood platelets and contribute to the severity of anaphylaxisThe most severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock), is the result of an inappropriate immune reaction following the introduction of a usually harmless antigen into the body. The production of antibodies against this antigen (or allergen) allows the formation of antibody-antigen complexes that trigger a massive secretion of potent mediators, resulting in organ failure, which may lead to a state of shock and possibly death. While it was already known that IgE antibodies can trigger these allergic reactions, scientists from the Institut Pasteur, Inserm, the CNRS and EFS Grand Est recently demonstrated that IgG antibodies play an active role in the severity of anaphylactic shock by unexpectedly activating blood platelets.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-igg-antibodies-blood-platelets-contribute.html
ImmunologyWed, 16 May 2018 05:57:55 EDTnews445669066Keeping kids with asthma out of the hospitalPediatric asthma takes a heavy toll on patients and families alike. Affecting more than 7 million children in the U.S., it's the most common nonsurgical diagnosis for pediatric hospital admission, with costs of more than $570 million annually. Understanding how to care for these young patients has significantly improved in the last several decades, leading the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to issue evidence-based guidelines on pediatric asthma in 1990. Despite knowing more about this respiratory ailment, overall morbidity—measured by attack rates, pediatric emergency department visits or hospitalizations—has not decreased over the last decade.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-kids-asthma-hospital.html
ImmunologyTue, 15 May 2018 16:08:35 EDTnews445619303Shower cream, body lotion combo improves atopic dry skin(HealthDay)—A shower cream and a body lotion with physiological lipids are effective in improving skin hydration in patients with dry skin, according to a study published online May 10 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-shower-cream-body-lotion-combo.html
HealthTue, 15 May 2018 13:00:02 EDTnews445607340A high-fiber diet protects mice against the flu virusDietary fiber increases survival in influenza-infected mice by setting the immune system at a healthy level of responsiveness, according to a preclinical study published May 15th in the journal Immunity. A high-fiber diet blunts harmful, excessive immune responses in the lungs while boosting antiviral immunity by activating T cells. These dual benefits were mediated by changes in the composition of gut bacteria, leading to an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through the microbial fermentation of dietary fiber.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-high-fiber-diet-mice-flu-virus.html
ImmunologyTue, 15 May 2018 11:04:33 EDTnews445601064Study finds that different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cellsThe battle between the human immune system and long-term, persisting infections and other chronic diseases such as cancer results in a prolonged stalemate. Over time battle-weary T cells become exhausted, giving germs or tumors an edge. Using data from multiple molecular databases, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found nine distinct types of exhausted T cells ("Tex"), which could have implications for fighting chronic infections, autoimmunity, and cancer. They published their findings in Immunity this week.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-diseases-elicit-distinct-exhausted-cells.html
ImmunologyTue, 15 May 2018 11:00:04 EDTnews445600481Researchers study 'universal' protective human antibodiesScientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have been studying how the immune system succeeds in keeping pathogens in check. For the first time, the researchers have now discovered antibodies that are capable of disarming not only one specific bacterium, but a whole variety of microorganisms at once. The newly discovered antibodies recognize a tiny sugar structure found on the surface of various germs. Thus, a limited number of antibodies is sufficient to control a wide variety of microorganisms.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-universal-human-antibodies.html
ImmunologyTue, 15 May 2018 08:10:01 EDTnews445589542Raising awareness about asthma is critical, says expertMillions of people in the United States, regardless of age, gender, race and ethnicity, are impacted by asthma, and the number of asthma sufferers is only projected to grow. To raise awareness about this disease, May is recognized as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-awareness-asthma-critical-expert.html
ImmunologyTue, 15 May 2018 08:06:58 EDTnews445590407Wide variety in asthma outcomes across country despite overall improvements in careAsthma outcomes still vary widely across England and appear to be influenced by region and affluence despite falling rates of asthma deaths, emergency hospital admissions and prevalence, suggests a study published in the journal Thorax.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-wide-variety-asthma-outcomes-country.html
ImmunologyMon, 14 May 2018 18:30:05 EDTnews445521475Study shows yogurt may dampen chronic inflammation linked to multiple diseasesInflammation can be good. It's part of the body's innate immune system, our first line of defense against illness and injury.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-yogurt-dampen-chronic-inflammation-linked.html
ImmunologyMon, 14 May 2018 13:00:05 EDTnews445502787Beyond killing tuberculosis: How can we tolerate an infection without eliminating a pathogen?Historically, our view of host defense against infection was that we must eliminate pathogens to eradicate disease. However, this perspective has recently been challenged as scientists have taken a lesson from plant biologists about an ancient strategy involving the ability to "tolerate" rather than "resist" infection to maintain health. This concept, referred to as "disease toler-ance", provides an opportunity to develop new strategies that mitigate the consequences of infection.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-tuberculosis-tolerate-infection-pathogen.html
ImmunologyFri, 11 May 2018 16:20:40 EDTnews445274422Opening a new door to immunityA new study could have major implications for our understanding of disease processes for conditions such as autoimmunity, atherosclerosis and heart failure, potentially leading to better prevention and treatment.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-door-immunity.html
ImmunologyFri, 11 May 2018 12:43:27 EDTnews445261395Sirtuin-1 levels linked to lupusThe Cardiometabolic and Kidney Risk Research Group, in collaboration with the Genomic and Genetic Diagnosis Unit of the Health Research Institute of Valencia's Hospital Clínico, INCLIVA, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Valencia University and the Hospital Clínico's Internal Medicine Department, have proven that the levels of messenger RNA and proteins of the enzyme Sirtuin-1 in urine are associated with the activity and characteristics of the lupus that affects kidneys, known as lupus nephritis.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-sirtuin-linked-lupus.html
ImmunologyWed, 09 May 2018 09:00:03 EDTnews445074862Human MAIT cells sense the metabolic state of enteric bacteriaA little-explored group of immune cells plays an important role in the regulation of intestinal bacteria. Changing metabolic states of the microbes have an effect on defense cells at different stages of alert or rest, as researchers from the Department of Biomedicine at the University and University Hospital of Basel report in the journal Mucosal Immunology.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-human-mait-cells-metabolic-state.html
ImmunologyWed, 09 May 2018 07:33:19 EDTnews445069990Rheumatoid arthritis—new therapeutic approach suppresses joint inflammationRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition characterised by uncontrolled inflammation in the joints. It involves several types of immune cells, macrophages playing a particularly crucial role. Working as part of an international collaboration, researchers from MedUni Vienna's Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology have now discovered and characterised a new subgroup of macrophages, which can greatly suppress this inflammation. In combination with the conventional anti-inflammatory drug methotrexate, this could offer a completely new treatment option in the future. The study has now been published in leading journal Frontiers in Immunology.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-rheumatoid-arthritisnew-therapeutic-approach-suppresses.html
ImmunologyWed, 09 May 2018 07:32:27 EDTnews445069939Children living in green neighbourhoods are less likely to develop asthmaSince the pioneering work of architecture professor Roger Ulrich, who found that patients with a view of a natural scene recovered more quickly from surgery, research has shown that exposure to the natural environment is associated with a wide range of health benefits.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-children-green-neighbourhoods-asthma.html
ImmunologyTue, 08 May 2018 08:28:20 EDTnews444986889Breakthrough bioelectronic medicine discovery made by decoding immune system's neural signalsNorthwell Health's Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Assistant Professor Theodoros P. Zanos, PhD, and his collaborators are the first to decode specific signals the nervous system uses to communicate immune status and inflammation to the brain. Identifying these neural signals and what they're communicating about the body's health is a major step forward for bioelectronic medicine as it provides insight into diagnostic and therapeutic targets, and device development. These findings were published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-breakthrough-bioelectronic-medicine-discovery-decoding.html
ImmunologyMon, 07 May 2018 15:00:05 EDTnews444909422Preclinical study suggests ARID1a may be useful biomarker for immunotherapyFunctional loss of ARID1a, a frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene, causes deficiencies in normal DNA repair and may sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade therapies, according to researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The preclinical study suggests that mutations in ARID1a could be beneficial in predicting immunotherapy success.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-preclinical-arid1a-biomarker-immunotherapy.html
ImmunologyMon, 07 May 2018 11:00:17 EDTnews444899633Nuclear pore functions are essential for T cell survivalNuclear pore complexes in the nuclear membrane not only control the transport of molecules into and out of the nucleus—they play an essential role in the survival of T cells. A new study by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) researchers describes how a specific nuclear pore component is critical for the survival of circulating T cells. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, identify a new node of T cell receptor signaling and could pave the way for the development of future immunotherapies.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-nuclear-pore-functions-essential-cell.html
ImmunologyMon, 07 May 2018 11:00:01 EDTnews444900072Breakthrough may explain why cancer immunotherapies can backfireResearch by University of Alberta scientists into PD-1, a cell surface receptor that naturally plays a major role in de-escalating the body's immune system, may explain why it can go haywire and cause autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-breakthrough-cancer-immunotherapies-backfire.html
ImmunologyFri, 04 May 2018 08:52:42 EDTnews444642731